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Named after Martin Van Buren, who served as the 8th President of the United States, Van Buren is a picturesque river community of fewer than 1,000 people in Carter County, Missouri. Once a thriving logging economy that was reliant on the woodlands within the Ozark Mountains, the city later saw depleted resources and the logging boom go bust. Since then, Van Buren has turned to nature conservation, with Mark Twain National Forest at its doorstep and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways forming the core of this tranquil town’s history.
Found along the banks of the Current River and adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest, Van Buren resides in a geographical area of the Courtois Hills, a part of the Ozark Mountains of Southeast Missouri. The land comprises steep limestone ridges, natural springs, forests, and creeks making it the perfect backdrop for outdoor recreation. Big Spring is one of the area’s largest attractions.
Van Buren is home to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways headquarters. The Visitor Center is located at the entrance of Big Spring Park, and is open from Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Van Buren is the largest city in Carter County and the county seat. The town has many locally owned businesses that support the town and its many visitors.
